2 Muslim men kicked off flight sue airlines

Story Tools

Two Muslim men who were kicked off an airplane in May are suing Delta Air Lines Inc. and a regional carrier that operated the flight from Memphis to Charlotte, N.C.

The suit was filed Monday in federal court against Delta and Atlantic Southeast Airlines Inc. It said the men -- Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul -- went through several security checks. It claims the pilot wanted them off the plane because he thought their presence would make other passengers uncomfortable.

The men are described in the suit as having beards and "traditional Arabic clothing." It seeks compensation for losses and injuries as well as punitive damages.

Calls to the airlines were not immediately returned.

The men were traveling to attend a conference on how to deal with anti-Muslim discrimination.